Golf club



Nov. 29, 1938.

H. A. DOUGLAS GOLF CLUB 'Filed sept. 27, 1955 HARRY A POI/GLAS j- {yar/ig? Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 18 Claims.

This invention relates generally to impact de- 'vices for amusement purposes, and more particularly has to do with a novel golf club.

In the game of golf it is customary to provide oneself with a set of clubs, and in order to be efficient in the game, it is of course .essential that considerable time and effort be devoted to learning the necessary fundamentals or rudiments, and the application of them by the frequent and regular use of each club.

One object of the present invention is to design and construct a golf club of a character which may be successfully used as a perpetual substitute for a complete set of clubs; this being accomplished by the' provision of a head that may be easily and quickly adjusted manually to an anglegcorresponding to the angle of any club of the set without the application of a tool or other instrument. The novel con- 20 struction also permits the playerto adjust the head to other angles than those mentioned. This great range of adjustability is important as the club is made more efficient.

It consequently follows that one may in a very short length of time become more eicient in the game by the use of one club, since it is not necessary to become accustomed to the feel, and the various lengths and weights of a plurality of different clubs. Moreover, the game is made more economical, thus, permitting more people to learn and play the game. Also, the :game may be speeded up considerably with less 'effort and fatigue.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel mechanism operatively related to the club in such a manner that a struck ball may be actually carried by the head of the club for .en instant in order to more effectively guide the ball in the desired direction; or in other words. permit the club to follow through for a short distance independent of the movement cf the player. By virtue of this novel construction, a rather poor or inexperienced player should in a very short time be able to drive and play a better game than the average player.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a construction With means arranged in combination therewith for controlling the mechanisrn for locking the blade with respect to the shaft.

A further object is to also include means in combination with the mechanism above referred to for automatically locking the head of the club at the desired angle with respect to the shaft the instant a ball is struck. l `i A still further object of the invention is to provide a golf club that may be easily constructed, assembled, and economically manufactured commercially. Other objects and advantages of the invention will readily appear after 5 considering the description hereinafter set forth in connection with the drawing annexed hereto.

With reference to the drawing wherein the details of the preferred principles of design and construction of the golf club are clearly shown. l0 and the various parts thereof are designated by numerals:

Fig. I is a side View in elevation of the irnproved1 golf club with a part thereof broken away;

Fig. II is rear view in elevation of the smi-f club shown in Fig. I with a part triereo'fbrokenv away in order to clearly show the manner in which the head and the shaft of the club are connected together; 20

Fig. IH is a section taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Fig. I;

Fig. IV is another section taken through a part of the head of the club for the purpose of showing the means employed for insuring the locking of the blade of the head at the desired angle with respect to the shaft;

Fig. V is a view somewhat similar to the Fig. III, but of a modification to which the invention is susceptible; and `Fig. VI is a section taken through a part of the structure shown in the preceding ligure to show the means for locking the blade relative to the shaft.

Referring rst and more particularly tothe illustrative construction shown in Fig. I to IV inclusive in the drawing, the numeral I designates generally the head of the club which is operatively related to a suitable shaft designated 2 by means of a novel connecting mechanism 3.

The head of the club is preferably designed and constructed as shown, and includes a blade 4 having a pair of integral arms 5 extending rearwardly therefrom which are of a character to assistl in connecting the blade to the mechanism 3. The arms 5 are preferably located centrally and at an angle with respect to the blade in order to distribute the weight as well as locate the axis of the mechanism 3 in line and in back of the point of impact. The point of impact is indicated by the arrow in Fig. I: The blade is pivotally connected to the mechanism 3 by the pro- 'vision of trunnions 6 on the latter which extend through holes 'I provided adjacent the ends of .the arms 5. The mechanism 3 is fitted into the 55 bifurcation by spreading the arms until the trunnions slip into place, and the arms are then bent back to their original and normal position. In conjunction with the description thus far it is to be understood that the head of the club is of the proper Weight and made of a desirable material, such as metal, and that the blade thereof may be formed to any suitable size and shape. Also, that the face of the blade may be provided with the usual serrations or small grooves in order to counteract slippage when a ball is struck.

Considering more in detail the construction of the mechanism 3 and its relation to the blade and the shaft 2 whereby the club may function to obtain the desired results, it will be evident that the mechanism includes an elongated barrel member 8, the forward end of which is preferably squared to some extent in order to'form a more eflicient connection with the arms of the blade, While the opposite end 9 may be made round if so desired. The barrel is provided with a smooth bore IG extending therethrough, and an opening or slot i I along the upper extremity thereof. The lower end of the shaft 2 is provided with an elongated offset and substantially hollow enlargement I2, which is of a size to easily slide without vibration within the bore I0 whenever the blade of the head strikes a ball. The barrel in effect forms a socket for the reception of the`enlargement I2 with the shaft of the club extending through the slot II preferably at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal, as clearly shown in Fig. II, and prevents rotation of the shaft relative Vto the head of the club. A threaded plug I3 which is engageable with the: threaded portion I6 of the barrel serves to detachably retain the shaft in operable relation to the mechanism 3 of the head of the club.

'The enlargement I2 above referred to, is provided with a hole or opening I5 of a predetermined depth, and forms 'a seat'to retain a resilient member I6, which in the preferred' form consists of a substantially heavy coiled compression spring, which is adaptedto be compressed to some extent when a ball is struck moderately, but fully compressed or collapsed when a ball is struck a rather hard blow. The spring' is preferably'of a length so' that one end thereof extends exteriorly of the enlargement, and this end of the spring is adapted to hold a detent I'I. TheV detent is of a character which with the aid of the spring automatically insures and maintains the blade of the club at'the desired angle after `being manually adjusted-by the player. The detent includes acylindrical shank portion I8 which is frictionally retained Within the connes of the coils of the spring I6, and an integral. substantially semispherical head portion I9 which is adapted to slide Within the bore I0 of the barrel whenever the angle of the blade is changed. A plurality of notches or teeth 20 are formed on the portion I9 of the detent, and these teeth are adapted to cooperate with a pluralityof teeth 2| formed in the rear side of the blade between thev arms 5. The angular relationY of the blade to the remainder of the head may be adjusted manually by the player merely by rotating the blade against the force exerted by the spring. It is to be noted that the various parts of the club are constructed in such a manner that there'is sunicient clearance in order to prevent interference between them and permit the detentV to automatically adjust itself, and so'that the spring I6 through the intermediary of the detent will hold the blade in position against casual angular change after 1.511@

blade has been once adjusted to the desired angle by the player.

The threaded plug I3, above mentioned, may be manipulated by either inserting a tool or coin in the slot 22 thereof in order to engage the enlargement I2 of the shaft, and place the desired tension upon the spring. The tension placed on the spring is desirably such that the club may be swung through the air without altering or in any way changing the angle of the blade after it has once been set by the player.

In view of the description thus far, it will be apparent that when a ball is struck by the blade of the club, the blade by reason of the novel principles involved in the construction will be automatically locked against angular change. Thus, when aV ball is struck the head generally designated I and the mechanism 3 as a unit and the shaft 2 will move relative to each other to effectuate a displacement of the parts to compress the spring I6 so the detent will automatically insure the desired locking effect. It is also evident by virtue of the novel arrangement that if a ball if struck rather hard the spring will collapse en tirely rst` cushioning the ball, but will drive it forward substantially at a normal rate'of Speed in lieu of a different rate as when the ball is struck moderately.

The principles of design and construction embodied in the shaft 2 will now be considered. It is to be understood that any suitable shaft may be used, but 'the preferred form includes the handle 23 having an elongated holder or ferrule 24 connected thereto. The handle may be made of any desirable material, such as metal, and is adapted to be of a sufficient and convenient lengthrfor all stances and driving purposes. The holder is provided with a hole 25 at its upper extremity, andr an interiorally threaded portion 25. The reduced end 2'I of the handle is fitted into the hole 25, and is detach-V ably held'in'relation to the holder through the agency of a ductile tubular element 28 and a lock nut 29. As clearly shown, the ductile element 28 is arranged in the hole 25 and about the end of the handle. When the nut 29 is tightened the element will be distorted or the shape thereof changed to such an extent that the element binds the handle and ferrule together, thus forming a good' strong and durable shaft for the club. Obviously, the shaft may be made in one piece instead of two or more as shown.

In order that a player may quickly ascertain whether or not the striking blade 'is adjusted to the desired angle for a midiron, mashie or other drive, a suitable indicator pointer such as 3U may be associated with the head of the club by attaching the pointer to one of the trunnions 6, in combination with suitable indicia 3| arranged adjacent thereto as clearly shown in Fig. I.

ConsideringV in detail another modification shown in Figs. V and VI to which the invention is susceptible, it will be evident that in many respects it is similar to the first embodiment shown and above described. The modification consists of a blade 4D Which is pivotally connected for angular adjustment with respect to a barrel member 4I by any desirable means, and also includes an enlargement 42, a plug 43, a spring 44, and a detent B5, all of which with the exception of the detent are similar to the corresponding parts above described. A cap 46, which is adapted to be manipulated by rotating the same, is arranged at one extremity of the barrel 4|. The enlargement plug and cap are each provided with holes4'|, 48, and 49 which are in line with each other.

The detent is preferably made in two parts which includesa head part 5D and a shaft or bolt 5|. As clearly shown, one end of the bolt 5| is threadedly secured to the part 50, while the remainder of its length extends lthrough the aligned holes 41, 48, and 49, and is provided with a head 52 having a slot 53 therein which is removed, the plug may be moved to the desired position in the barrel member 4| to place the desired tension upon the spring 44 by inserting a suitable tool in slot 56 and rotating the plug.

Another and very important feature of this modification resides in the provision of means arranged in combination therewith for controlling the mechanism for locking the blade at the desired angle. This is accomplished by providing two cam portions 5T which are arranged opposite each other within the confines of the cap i5 and integral therewith. These cams 51, only one of which is shown in Fig. V, are adapted to cooperate with two concave cam surfaces 58 arranged opposite each other and formed adjacent the end of the barrel member 4|. The cap as clearly shown is provided with a cylindrical portion 59. This cylindrical portion is preferably knurled or otherwise roughened so that the cap may be gripped and easily turned. The cams and cam surfaces are of such a character that when the cap 46 is rotated to a position other than that shown, the cams 5T will disengage the cam surfaces 58 and ride upon the extreme end flat portions 6B of the barrel niember, thus withdrawing the head 50 of the detent out of contact with the blade 40. In other words, the blade cannot be adjusted to the desired angle unless the cap 4S is manipulated so as to disengage the teeth of the detent and the notches provided in the blade.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same, without departing from the spirit of the invention; hence, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, herein shown, described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A golf club including a shaft and a striking blade, a barrel member and meansfor pivotally connecting the blade thereto, means for slidably connecting the shaft to thebarrel, means including a detent and a resilient member whereby the blade may be automatically held against casual displacement at substantially any desired angle after being manually adjusted and also effect a slidable displacement between the shaft and the remainder of the club when a ball is struck whereby the struck ball may be carried for a short distance on the blade and be discharged therefrom at an increased rate of speed.

2. A golf club including a shaft and a strik ing blade, a barrel member, means for pivotally connecting the blade thereto, means for slidably connecting the lower end of said shaft within said barrel, and means including a detent and a resilient member whereby the detent cooperates with the blade to permitA the blade to be automatically held against casual displacement at substantially any desired angle after being manually adjusted.

3. A golf club including a shaft and a striking blade, a socket-like member and means for pivotally connecting the blade thereto with the socket like member positioned near the point at which the blade is struck by a ball, an enlargement provided adjacent the lower end of said shaftslidably fitted into said socket-like member, means including a resilient member carried by the said enlargement on said shaft and a detent arranged between said resilient member and said blade adapted to cooperate with the blade whereby the blade may be automatically held against casual displacement at substantially any desired angle after being manually adjusted, said resilient member also serving to normally maintain said enlargement on said shaft in a predetermined relation with respect to said socket-like member.

4. A golf club, including a connection; a shaft attached for reciprocation with respect thereto, a head pivo-tally attached to said connection for manual angular adjustment, and means including a detent and compressible means carried solely by the shaft with the detent cooperating with the blade whereby the blade'alone may be moved and automatically held in various angular positions with respect to said connection against the tension of said compressible means.' y

5. A golf club, including a head having two spaced apart arms, a slotted socket member pivotally connected to said arms, a shaft having a tubular enlargement reciprocally mounted in said socket member with the shaft extending through said slot at an angle tothe vertical, a resilient member seated within said tubular enlargement with one end extending exteriorly thereof, cooperating means provided on said head, detent means arranged between said resilient means and said head engageable with said cooperating means on said head whereby manual movement of head only to any desired angle with respect to said shaft will automatically hold said head at said angle, and means carried by and adjustable within said socket member and engageable with said tubular enlargement for controlling the tension of said resilient means.

6. A golf club, including a head having two spaced apart arms, a slottedvsocket member pivotally lconnected to said arms, a shaft having a tubular enlargement reciprocally mounted within said socket member with the shaft extending through said slot, a resilient member seated within said tubular enlargement, cooperating means provided on said head, detent means arranged between said resilient means and said head engageable with the cooperating means on said head, means carried by and adjustable within said socket member and engageable with said tubular enlargement for controlling the tension of said resilient means, cam means, and rod means affixed to said cam means and detachably connected to said detent means in a manner whereby said detent means will be ldisengaged from the cooperating means on said head upon rotation of said cam means when it is desired to adjust said head to the desired angle, said rod when detached from said detent` means belOl ing of a character to permit the removal of said cam,means whereby access may be had to said adjustable means carried by said socket member.

7. A golf club, including a head, a connection pivotally mounted on the back of said head, a shaft and resilient means for resiliently supporting said shaft upon said connection, detent means acted upon by said resilient means cooperating with said head, cam means, and means providing a connection between said detent and cam means whereby rotation of said cam means in either direction a predetermined distance will release said detent means from said head.

8. A golf club, including a head, a connection pivotally mounted on said head, a shaft reciprocably mounted on said connection, detent means, resilient means, operatively related to said detent means for urging said detent means into cooperation with said head, said resilient means and the other parts of the club "being constructed and arranged whereby said connection and said shaft will reciprocate with respect to each other to compress said resilient means in order to cushion and drive a ball struck by said head.

9. A golf club, including a head provided with cooperating means, a shaft connected to said head and provided with spring pressed .detent means engageable with said cooperating means, said connection being of a character whereby said head and said shaft will reciprocate with respect to each fother, and said cooperating means and said detent means will be driven against each other with great force when a ball is struck by said head.

l0. A- golf club including in combination, a blade provided with attaching means, a support provided with means interengaging said attaching means whereby to provide a pivotal connection between said blade and said support, a shaft provided with means securing said shaft in sliding engagement with said support, cooperating means provided on said blade, a detent slidably arranged on said support between said blade and said securing means of said shaft, and resilient means interposed between said detent and said securing means of said shaft for urging said detent in a direction to be engaged by said cooperating means and said shaft in an opposite direction to a predetermined position whereby said shaft will slide forward with respect to said support when a ball is struck and thereafter return to its predetermined position.

ll. A structure of the kind described including in combination, a separate connection having lateral extensions adjacent its front extremity, an impact member provided with arms pivotally connected to said extensions, a shaft carried by said connection and having a part movable on said connection, and resilient means arranged between said impact member and that part of said shaft movable in said connection whereby said resilient means may be caused to normally urge said part of the said shaft toward the rear extremity of said connection. l

l2. A structure of the class described in claim 11, including means whereby to adjust the tension of said resilient means.

13. A golf club, including a head having two spaced apart arms, a slotted socket member pivotally connected to said arms, a shaft having a tubular enlargement reciprocably mounted on said socket member with the shaft projecting through said slot, a resilient member seated on said tubular enlargement, cooperating means provided on said head, and detent means arranged between said resilient means and Said head engageable with said cooperating means on said head.

14. A golf club, including a head having two spaced apart arms, a slotted socket member pivotally connected to said arms, a shaft having a tubular enlargement reciprocably mounted within said socket member with the shaft extending through said slot, a resilient member seated within said tubular enlargement, cooperating means provided on said head, detent means arranged between said resilient means and said head engageable with the cooperating means on said head, means carried by and adjustable on said socket member and engageable with said tubular enlargement for controlling the tension of said resilient means, cam means, and connection means affixed to said cam means and connected to said detent means in a manner whereby said detent means may be disengaged from said cooperating means of said head upon moving said cam means when it is desired to adjust said head to the desired angle with respect to said shaft.

l5. A golf club, including a head having an arm, a socket member pivotally connected to said arm, a shaft having an enlargement reciprocally mounted on said socket member, cooperating means mounted on said head, detentmeans arranged on said socket member between said enlargement and said head, cam means, and rod means afiixed to said cam means and to said detent means whereby said detent means may be made to engage or disengage said cooperating means of said head when said cam means is operated.

16. A golf club including a shaft and a striking blade, a socket-like member and means for pivotally connecting the blade thereto with the socket-like member positioned near the point at which the blade is struck by a ball, an enlargement provided adjacent the lower end of said shaft slidably fitted onto said socket-like member, means including a resilient member carried by the said enlargement on said shaft and a detent arranged between said resilient member and said blade and provided with a portion to cooperate with the blade whereby the blade may be held against casual displacement at substantially any desired angle after being manually adjusted, said resilient member also serving to normally maintain said enlargement on said shaft in a predetermined relation with respect to said socket-like member, and that portion of said detent adapted to cooperate with said blade in normal spaced apart relation to the fore end of said enlargement.

17. A golf club, including a head having two spaced apart arms, a slotted socket member pivotally connected to said arms, a shaft having a tubular enlargement reciprocally mounted in said socket member with the shaft extending through said slot at an angle to the vertical, a resilient member seated within said tubular enlargement, cooperating means provided on said head, detent means carried by said resilient means engageable with said cooperating means on said head whereby manual movement of head only to any desired angle with respect to said shaft will automatically hold said head at said angle, and means carried by and adjustable on said socket member and engageable with said tubular enlargement for controlling the tension of said resilient means.

18. A golf club, including a head having an arm, a socket member pivotally connected to said arm, a shaft having an enlargement reciprocally mounted on said socket member, cooperatng means mounted on said head, detent means arranged on said socket member between said enlargement and said head, cam means, and connection means aixed to said cam means and to said detent means whereby said detent means may be made to engage or disengage said cooperating means of said head When said cam means is operated, and means conned by said cam means for adjusting the distance said enlargement may travel on said socket member.

HARRY A. DOUGLAS. 

